San Francisco, California - City supervisors voted in favor of allowing local law enforcement to use robots with the ability to kill suspects in emergency situations.

The Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 in favor of the policy that, according to the ordinance, will allow officers to use the robots to kill "when risk of loss of life to members of the public or officers is imminent and officers cannot subdue the threat after using alternative force options or de-escalation tactics."

According to CNN, only the deputy, assistant chief, or chief of police will have the authority to authorize any use of the robots, which will be operated remotely to "contact, incapacitate, or disorient" a suspect.

Rafael Mandelman, a District 8 supervisor that voted in favor of the measure, said in a Twitter post that the bots will not be armed with firearms, but may be used to carry out deadly force. He also claims the "use of a robot might be the best and only way of dealing with a terrorist or mass shooter."

Three supervisors – Hillary Ronen, Shamann Walton, and Dean Preston – voted against the policy.

Preston raised serious concerns during the meeting: "There is serious potential for misuse and abuse of this military-grade technology, and zero showing of necessity."

Ronen called the policy "shortsighted, dangerous, [and] sad" in a tweet. "The spirit of the SF I have always admired is weeping today."

The board must have a second vote next week before gaining approval from the city's mayor before the measure is officially passed.